Chapter 8

When the 12 million arrived in my account, I was busy with the soft opening of my café.

I’d made some slight changes to the store’s style and set up some discount coupons.

The results so far had been pretty good.

After my friend heard the money had arrived, she asked if doing a one-time buyout was a loss.

I felt that running a business could never be smooth sailing all the way.

There would always be unexpected situations.

Ups and downs were normal.

It’s hard to guarantee how long they’ll last.

It’s better to keep things simple with a one-off settlement.

Most importantly, I didn’t want to deal with contacting them every single month.

My friend said that made sense-what’s in your hand is what’s real.

Emily also came by for coffee during her break.

She said Leo had landed a big deal recently and was busy negotiating.

Jane showed up at work with a designer bag, acting much more subdued.

It was obvious that Leo had used the bag to please her.

Jane’s forbearance was just a way to get more.

This was the seed Leo planted back then, and perhaps soon he would reap the consequences.

Like that day at the restaurant, when Leo and I were having dinner.

I saw Jane standing at the corner outside the window.

That very night, she sent me even more revealing photos.

Brazenly showing half her face.

I’d already packed everything up, ready to send it to her husband once I got the divorce certificate.

I was sorting out the folder when the doorbell rang.

I got up to answer. Jane had her hair dyed and permed, wearing lipstick in the same shade as mine.

When the door opened, Jane was nothing like before, her eyes full of provocation.

“Ms. Sophia, sorry to bother you. Leo left his household registration book here, so I came by to pick it up.”

She spoke as if she was going to walk right in.

I blocked her. “When Leo and I agreed on the divorce, he took the household registration book with him.”

“Really? Maybe Leo just remembered wrong.

“To be honest, I also just wanted to see you.

“Leo doesn’t know, but I do. Isn’t this just your way of retreating in order to advance, still holding onto him?”

I asked, “Is that so? So you think after lurking in my Moments for two years you know me well enough?”

She covered her mouth and laughed, pushing my hand aside as she looked around inside.

“Sophia, I really thought you didn’t care. Look at you-Leo just left and you’ve already changed the entire style.

“What’s wrong, afraid you might feel sad?”

As she finished, my son woke up from her noise, calling out for me.

He asked if his dad was home.

Jane let out a low chuckle. “Sweetheart, I’m Auntie Jane. Your dad’s in a meeting, he won’t be home tonight. Maybe not tomorrow, either.”

I clenched my fists, ignoring Jane.

I hurried to comfort my son.

When I went in, he looked up at me, disappointed and a little aggrieved.

I coaxed him, promising to take him to the playground tomorrow, and told him to sleep early.

When I came out, Jane was still in the living room.

She was already leisurely sipping red wine.

I knew exactly what she was here to do.

In a few days, it would be Leo’s father’s birthday. In previous years, we always went together.

Leo even called to ask if I could accompany him again this year.

But Jane didn’t want me to go.

Leo’s hometown was remote. His parents had moved to the county seat some years ago, but it was still far.

Going back would stir up too many memories.

She was afraid of what could happen if things dragged on.

She just wanted to provoke me, so she’d have enough reason to whisper in Leo’s ear.

Perfect.

Now that the 20 million had arrived, I was also looking for a reason to refuse Leo.

So I walked over slowly, lowered my eyes to stare at her, then suddenly raised my hand and slapped her hard.

Her head snapped to the side, but she laughed.

“So it’s nothing special after all. All that indifference was just an act, wasn’t it?

“How does it feel, someone like you, so high and mighty, to have your man taken by me?”

I grabbed the glass from her hand.

One hand yanked her hair, the other covered her mouth, and I dragged her straight to the door.

She struggled, and I threw her out.

“Jane, you got what you wanted. Go ahead and tell Leo all about it.

“If you think it’s not enough, I can give you another slap-one for each side.”

Jane pointed at me, cursing and screaming.

When she rolled up her sleeves and was about to charge at me, I pulled out my phone and started recording.

She glared at me, snatched up her bag from the floor, took out her phone, and tearfully called Leo.

I glanced at the date.

Calmly, I looked forward to the end of this farce.

Ten days left on the divorce countdown.